Latino Caucus

The goal of the Latino Caucus is to organize, educate and develop Latino and community members’ involvement to achieve power, respect and social justice for the working class. This caucus promotes an annual Cesar Chavez event, voter registration and other cultural activities.

Events and Meetings

MONTHLY CAUCUS MEETINGS

Fresno: 1st Wednesday of the month, 5:30-8 p.m.Latino Caucus Monthly Meeting has been changed for July due to Independence Day. Our next meeting is Wednesday, July 11 at 5:30 p.m.
SEIU 521, 5228 E. Pine Ave., Fresno
RSVP (Dinner provided): Liane.Mazzella@seiu521.org or at (559) 447-2560

San Jose: 2nd Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to Noon.
SEIU 521 San Jose Office, 2302 Zanker Rd.
RSVP (breakfast provided) by Thursday prior to the meeting at SEIU521.Receptionist@seiu521.org or (408) 678-3300

Membership & Brochure

Past Events

Community Outreach – Helping Hand to our Homeless Community

On Sunday, March 5 Fresno Latino Caucus member and allies got together for a community outreach event. We gathered at the union office unity hall to prepare for our community food giveaway to the homeless community in Fresno. At the corner of G Street & Ventura Avenue, in an empty lot, we gave out clothing, blankets and shoes courtesy of members who donated items. The Latino Caucus gave away water and sandwiches, along with snacks that were donated by the Latino Caucus and community members. We were able to provide a quick meal/snack for our local homeless community. We were able to service approximately 50-100 individuals. Many of those who we assisted expressed their appreciation in coming out to assist the community. We expect this to continue as a monthly event in conjunction with other local organizations that also help the homeless community. If you are interested in joining Latino Caucus contact Chair, Lorenzo Lambaren at seiu.local.521.latino.caucus.fresno@gmail.com

Chavez Event Brings Record-Breaking Crowd

Guests at the 2017 Cesar Chavez event were entertained by a mariachi band and folklórico dancers.

SEIU Local 521’s Cesar Chavez Day celebration on April 1, 2017, drew nearly 200 guests, the largest attendance in the 15 years that the Latino Caucus has sponsored the event.

Keynote speaker Chava Bustamante, Executive Director of Latinos United for a New America (LUNA), talked about Chavez’ legacy and how it relates to the labor and immigration fight we’re still waging today.

“It was one of the best we ever had. A lot of our members are active in the community and have connections with local organizations. Everyone helped promote the event,” said Rachel.

Our Cesar Chavez celebration and march were covered in a photo spread in El Aguila magazine!

December 2016

SEIU 521 Fresno Caucus members decorated our office for the holidays. Also, our Women and Latino Caucus members purchased gifts for ten women and ten children adopted through the Holy Caucus Women’s Day Shelter.Check out more photos on Facebook!

Fresno Latino Caucus Members Participate in Fresno Aids Walk

On Saturday, October 22, 2016, some of the Latino Caucus members gathered to participate in the 2016 Fresno Aids Walk at Woodward Park. Each year, SEIU Local 521 Fresno Latino Caucus members make a sponsorship donation and participate in the Aids Walk. Latino Caucus members participate in various events in the community. The Next Fresno Latino Caucus meeting is scheduled for Nov. 2. You are all invited to the next meeting to become part of our Local SEIU 521 members who are involved in our community. Please RSVP at (559) 447-2579 if you are interested in attending. The meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month at the Union Hall located at 5228 E Pine Fresno. Dinner at 5:30 p.m. and meeting starts at 6 p.m. Our next meeting theme is the Dia De Los Muertos.

Roscon de reyes or rosca de reyes (kings’ ring) is a Spanish and Latin American king’s cake pastry traditionally eaten to celebrate Epiphany.

It is traditionally eaten on January 6, during the celebration of the Dia de Reyes (literally “Kings’ Day”), which commemorates the arrival of the three Magi or Wise Men. In most of Spain, Spanish America, and sometimes, Hispanic communities in the United States, this is the day when children traditionally get presents, which are attributed to the Three Wise Men (and not Santa Claus or Father Christmas). In Mexico before children go to bed, they leave their shoes outside filled with hay or dried grass for the animals the Wise Men ride, along with a note.

The tradition of placing a trinket (a figurine of the Christ child) in the cake is very old. The baby Jesus hidden in the bread represents the flight of the Holy Family, fleeing from King Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents. Whoever finds the baby Jesus figurine is blessed and must take the figurine to the nearest church on February 2 (Candlemas Day, Dia de la Candelaria). In the Mexican culture, this person has the responsibility of hosting a dinner and providing tamales and atoleto the guests. In U.S. communities with large Mexican and Mexican-American populations, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Dallas and Chicago, the celebration includes the Mexican hominy stew pozole,which is made for all one’s neighbors.

Dia del los Muertos 2015

Dia de los Muertos/ Mikailhuitl

Día de Los Muertos is a remembrance of our ancestors, family and friends who have passed on to the Spirit World. We honor their life and their memory on this day. Members, Staff and community are invited to place photos and small objects on the altar which represent something which the departed liked during their Life. Altar is open from Oct. 27 – Nov. 1, 2015 at theSEIU 521 San Jose office, 2302 Zanker Rd.

Dia de los Muertos/Mikailhuitl

Día de Los Muertos is a remembrance of our ancestors, family and friends who have passed on to the Spirit World. We honor their life and their memory on this day. Members, Staff and community were invited to place photos and small objects on the altar which represent something which the departed liked during their Life. Altar was open from Oct. 25 – Nov. 1, 2013 – SEIU 521 San Jose office, 2302 Zanker Rd. Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead (PDF)

El Dia De Los Muertos / Mikailhuitl – 2011
The SEIU 521 Latino Caucus observed Dia de los Muertos / Mikailhuitl on Nov. 1, 2011. This is an ancient Aztec ceremony honoring and remembering the lives of our ancestors and family who have passed on to the spirit world. We built a COMMUNITY ALTAR at the SEIU 521 office in San Jose.See the photos

History & Purpose

The Latino Caucus was established in the SEIU Western Region in 1992. Our goal is to increase the involvement and participation of Latinos, that is, the Indigenous people of this continent, known as Ixachilan by our native ancestors, in the life of the union. We also recognize, that, with the European incursion into this continent, African slaves were introduced here who then, over the years, mixed with the native people. We honor their contributions to the evolving cultures.

Our aim is to enhance the great need for Leadership Development to help prepare our communities to become leaders in our union, such as officers, staff and heads of locals; to increase involvement in politics and organizing; and to bring those issues important to our peoples into the forefront of our unions agenda and programs. We strive to promote greater understanding and respect of our peoples with the diverse membership of our union. We support the just causes of all people in the pursuit of a more just and equitable society and world.